Obituary: Jerry Dale WilsonCLARKSVILLE — Jerry Dale Wilson, 64, of Clarksville, died May 21, 2017 in Russellville. He was born April 20, 1953, in Russellville. He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Dale Wilson. Survivors include wife, Vanita Alderson Wilson of Clarksville; mother, Wilma “Juanita” Sims Wilson of Knoxville; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vanita and Lee Alderson of Clarksville; son Morgan Dale Wilson of Knoxville; brother-in-law, Randy (Lisa) Al...

Obituary: Michael ShirleyFAYETTEVILLE — Michael O. Shirley, age 78, of Dover, died Saturday, May 20, 2017. He was born Feb. 16, 1939, in Van Buren, the son of William Ogden and Frances Chambless Shirley. He was a retired cattle farmer. He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and attended the University of Arkansas. He was of the Episcopalian faith. He was an Eagle member of the NRA. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Shirley; three sons, Weston Shirle...

Obituary: Mark TidwellATKINS — Christopher Mark Tidwell, 52, of Russellville, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Baptist Health Center in Conway. He was born April 15, 1965, in Albuquerque, N.M., son of William R. and Jimmie Nell Clement Tidwell. He was a loving father, husband and friend. He was preceded in death by his mother; two brothers, William Rodney Tidwell and David Tidwell; and a sister, Barbara Nell Tidwell Bennett. He is survived by his wife, Carla...

Obituary: Joseph WilliamsJoseph Lewis Williams, age 45, passed away peacefully at home on May 20, 2017. Joseph was born on April 26, 1972, to Donny Paul Williams and Peggy Deeds. He was preceded in death by his father Donny Paul Williams and his mother Peggy Deeds and his son Jimmy Paul Williams. Joseph left behind his cherished little girl Tiffany Rene Williams and his loving wife Julie Williams. His siblings include Sammy Williams, Beverly Williams, Melissa Beavers,...

Obituary: Betty SchwartzBetty S. Johnston Schwartz, 81, of Russellville, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Fort Smith. The daughter of Roy and Minnie Johnston, she was born April 6, 1936, in Russellville. She married Richard “Dick” Schwartz on June 15, 1957, in Russellville. She graduated Russellville High School and attended Arkansas Tech University. She retired after 46 years with Tyson Foods (formerly Fox Deluxe Foods). She was member of St. John’s Catholi...

UK police: 19 confirmed dead in explosion at Grande concertLONDON — An explosion struck an Ariana Grande concert in northern England late Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens in what police say they are treating as a terrorist attack. Greater Manchester Police said 19 people were confirmed dead and roughly 50 were injured by the explosion at Manchester Arena. Emergency vehicles were helping the injured and bomb disposal units were later seen outside the venue. There was mass panic af...

Inmates accused of setting fire at Forrest City jailFORREST CITY — Authorities say four inmates face additional charges after a fire was intentionally set in the St. Francis County jail in Forrest City. The Times-Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2q0EjSj ) that it took two hours to fully extinguish a fire that was set Monday night in a jail cell. Authorities say the fire apparently started when inmates stuck pieces of paper into an electrical outlet, then threw the burning papers onto bed mats insi...

State panel OKs enrollment jump for Arkansas online schoolLITTLE ROCK — A state panel in Arkansas has approved a 1,000-student enrollment increase for an online charter school based in North Little Rock. Arkansas' Charter Authorizing Panel agreed Wednesday to increase the enrollment of the Arkansas Virtual Academy to 3,000 students. The move still requires approval from the State Board of Education. If approved, the enrollment increase would be phased in over three years. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazett...

Celebration of ExcellenceTHE COURIER/ Emily Srader The 30th anniversary of the Celebration of Excellence, a program where the Russellville Renaissance Foundation honors students who received scholarships and other awards, was held last week at The Center for The Arts at Russellville High School. A total of 130 scholarships were awarded that totaled $94,545.

McElroy event will focus on child friendly learning spaces as well as flower pressingThe McElroy house, located at 420 S. 2nd Street in Dardanelle, will host an interactive workshop on Montessori and Reggio education methods and ways to incorporate them into the home or classroom from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Razan Abdin, a Montessori educator from North Little Rock, will be leading the skillshare on the basics of these child-friendly learning methods, and will be helping design children’s playroom to be interactive, nat...

Quiz Bowl showdown coming upA Quiz Bowl Showdown will take place at 6 p.m. on May 22, 2017, at the Hughes Community Center in Russellville. The Back-to-Back 6A State Champion Russellville Cyclone Quiz Bowl team will face a team of community leaders in the ultimate trivia game. The FUNdraiser will help the Cyclone team raise money to pay for their state championship rings. Please join the quiz bowl team in this community event and make a donation. Donations can be made to...

Dover Housing Authority continues renovation prepDOVER — The Dover Housing Authority continued preparations for a major renovation this summer including new flooring, new showers, fresh interior paint, exterior drainage and interior drainage replacement. Executive Director Metta Holman said said the project would be financed by an emergency grant from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development. Holman hosted a public meeting May 11 prior to the regular monthly meeting of the aut...

Arkansas university brings back nursing programPINE BLUFF — The Arkansas State Board of Nursing has approved the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's request to bring back its pre-licensure nursing program. The university's approval for the program, which extends through 2020, is the final step before accreditation, the Pine Bluff Commercial reported (http://bit.ly/2rlOyo9 ). "The action of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing signals its confidence that the UAPB Nursing Program will be a...

Duggar sisters file privacy suit against city, magazineFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Four sisters of Josh Duggar who were revealed to have told police that they'd been molested by their older brother filed a federal breach-of-privacy suit Thursday against the city of Springdale and Washington County, Arkansas, and publishers of the magazine that first revealed their identities. Attorneys for Jill Duggar Dillard, Jessa Duggar Seewald, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Joy Duggar filed suit in federal court in Fa...

Obituary: Joyce SharpATKINS — Joyce Marie Sharp, 69, of Russellville went home to be with the Lord Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville. She was born Sept. 18, 1947, in Westpoint, Tenn., the daughter of William and Mary Eula Wright Laws. She attended Happy Valley Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sherry Lee Sharp; three brothers; and five sisters. She is survived by her husband of...

Obituary: Susan CampbellDARDANELLE — Susan Dorene Chancey Campbell, age 58, of Russellville passed away Friday, May 19, 2017, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville. She was born Oct. 29, 1958, at Delano, Calif., to the late Arvil and Darlene Gossage Chancey. Susan loved crocheting, going fishing and spending time with her grandkids. She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant sister Linda Kay Chancey. Survivors include her husband, Johnn...

Obituary: Aubrey GarnerDARDANELLE — Samuel Aubrey Garner, age 83, of Dardanelle, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville. He was born April 15, 1934 at Delaware, Ark., to the late Jeff Davis and Bertha McClure Garner. He was a United States Army veteran and co-owner of Garner-Vess Implement Company in Dardanelle. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Roger Garner; two brothers in law, Kenneth Moles an...

Obituary: John Vernon Rowe Jr.Army SSgt. (retired) John Vernon Rowe Jr., 46, of Deer Lodge, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord tragically and unexpectedly on May 18, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, John Vernon Rowe Sr.; brothers, Ed Wards and Farl Swiger; and baby boy Rowe and two baby girls Rowe. He is survived by his loving wife, Laryssa Rowe of Deer Lodge, Tenn.; children, John Wood, Trevor, Katlyn, Autumn, Charlie, James Clyde and Rose Rowe, Marty Rowe ...

Obituary: Robert VickersCLARKSVILLE — Robert P. Vickers, 79, died May 19, 2017, in Ozone. He is preceded in death by his parents, Borden and Odelene Winningham Vickers; and a sister, Anita Vickers. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Younger Vickers of Ozone; a son, Robert Paul Vickers Jr. of Altus; two daughters: Robbie Pitts and Tammie Dunlap and husband, Charlie, all of Clarksville; a brother, Charles Vickers and wife, Martha, of Texas; two sisters, Dr. Norma Compt...